contentment in any state (or home)

The home list seems endless. But do you know anyone who doesn’t have a to-do list for their home, whether it’s things to do inside or outside? I don’t.

There is a lesson I’m slowly learning though.

If you can’t find happiness in your home right now, just the way it is, you never will.

Why?

Because there will always be something to be done. Once you paint those walls, the furniture doesn’t look quite right.

And when you get that sofa you’ve been drooling over, you’ll need a rug to go with it.

Oh, and then some great lamps to complement everything. And when the family room looks just the way you want it, the bathroom that you updated 7 years ago needs a facelift. Not to mention what you would like to do on the outside… Oh, and those fixtures you switched out to oil rubbed bronze?? Guess what?

So sorry, but sassy brassy is back and it’s hot! Okay, maybe not sassy brassy, but something.

There will always be a list.

I don’t think it’s bad to have goals and dreams about making your house beautiful and comfortable and an expression of yourself, but try asking yourself this question:

If something happened where I couldn’t change one more thing to this house, could I be happy here?”

Because happiness in homes is not found in the right paint color, or the updated fixtures, or the new rug you finally saved enough for.

We all know that.

It’s found with the very people who fill the chairs around the kitchen table (that needs to be refinished)

and wipe their noses on the couch (I probably should have gone with the leather) and leave their dirty dishes piled in the sink (that I dream about being big white farmhouse one with a shiny chrome faucet…for surely there would be no dirty dishes if I had that!!)

and leave mountains of laundry to be washed in my old top loading washer (that should be a front loader with a steam setting that washes, dries, and then puts away in drawers…)

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned {or am trying to learn}, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

~Phillipians 4:11

this is a repost, and it’ s fun to see that a lot has changed in 2 years, but the message is the same.

I completely agree! I often find myself criticizing my house so much that I don't enjoy how it is NOW...although I know it will never be exactly the way that I want it. Thank you for writing this great reminder of what really is important in life!

I needed this today! BTW keep your old top loader or a new top loader to avoid the mold that grows in the front gasket of a front loader!!!! one more thing to remember to clean, air out, and stay on top of!!!

I was reminded of "what's important" this past week when a friend of a friend died in our small town. She was only 49 and had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just two months ago. I know none of the home improvement stuff mattered to her, her husband or her four daughters in those precious two months.

Love this! I'm reading this as I wait for the stripper paste to do it's magic on my front door, I needed this reminder. I like to have two lists going - what I WANT to accomplish, and what I HAVE accomplished. As the lists become more even or even remain uneven, it's nice to remind myself of what I've done. Pictures help too, but yes, as you mentioned, it's who you share your house with that really matters!

This is so true! Nothing is wrong with wanting to make changes and update your home, but I think some people lose sight of what really matters. My house is full of sassy brassy and honey oak. There are times when I look at it and think that it looks awful. But there are other times I look around and see what a wonderful home I have and I think it's ridiculous to think that just because the woodworking isn't in style at the moment anything is wrong with it. Besides, you know the second I paint my cabinets then the next new rage will be light colored wood....

Great post! I just posted something similar today. Heard a comment on the radio that said, "Don't compare someone's highlight reel with your behind the scenes footage." I'm guilty of that and I do get wrapped up with wanting to change this and that in my home. Thanks for reminding us of what's really important and what really gives us happiness. God bless! Angie at http://thealteredpast.blogspot.com

Thank you for that post! It's so easy to look at all the stuff that I want to be changed and what needs to be fixed that I sometimes have to remind myself that we are blessed to have a home in the first place. I love your words of wisdom :)

Amen, it is who is in the home not what.....but I have the list too...... it's a work in process. By they way....I just bought a new top loader after (thankfully) my front loader died........ check out consumer reports before you purchase a front loader....I have never been happier with a washer.....so glad to have a top loader again!!!!!

wow, if this isn't exactly the same way i've been feeling lately. With a new baby on the way, nothing seems to be nearly perfect enough..and I've been a little bit of a scary person on a rampage..and yesterday I sat in the bathroom and cried ashamed of myself and my ungrateful attitude. Thank you for making me feel more human with showing that sometimes reality isn't always perfectly perfect.

I'm constantly trying to remind myself of this!! I find myself always thinking of how great things will be when- ...instead of just focusing on how great they already are! The happiest people are the ones who are content with what they have.

Wow! What timing! We just moved into a new-to-us house this week, and I've had these same exact feelings of being overwhelmed. In the end, I need to remember that a house is just a house, but you and the ones you love make it a home.

We moved to Texas yesterday. I finally got to see the house my husband picked out and bought. I love it, but I have this huge list of want-to-dos. Thank you for reminding me to be content and enjoy the memories we make in an imperfect house. :)